Diathermy electrode supports



July. 29, 1969 s. P. GOODE DIATHERMY ELECTRODE SUPPORTS med Sept. 21, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1

INVENTOR. GODFREY P GOODE BYM FIG. 2

ATTORNEYS July 29, 1969 G. F. 60005 DIATHERMY ELECTRODE SUPPORTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 21. 1964 w OE INVENTOR, GODFREY P GOODE ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,457,925 DIATHERMY ELECTRODE SUPPORTS Godfrey P. Geode, Park Hills, Ky., assignor to Sybron Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 397,898 Int. Cl. A61n 1/06; H0511 7/10 U.S. Cl. 128-405 17 Claims This invention relates to improved diathermy apparatus and more particularly to an improvement in diathermy electrodes and supporting structure.

My invention is an improvement in a diathermy treatment apparatus of the nature generally described in the C. K. Gieringer Patent No. 2,404,283. Because of the wide use of diathermy treatment for a variety of problems at various portions of the human body, it is highly desirable that the diathermy electrodes have a wide range of adjustment in order that they are suitable for maximum utilization for diathermy treatment. It is also desirable that the electrodes beof such a configuration as to conform closely to the contour of the area to be treated.

It is one object of my invention to provide a diathermy apparatus having an increased range of adjustability of the electrodes over any known construction.

It is a significant object of my invention to provide greatly improved diathermy electrode supporting construction yielding maximum versatility of the electrodes in applying diathermy treatment at the desired areas of the human body.

It is an important object of my invention to provide an improved diathermy electrode supporting structure greatly increasing the ease and simplicity of use.

It is a further object of my invention to simplify the electrical wiring of diathermy apparatus from the operators point of view.

It is a further object of my invention to provide improved diathermy electrode supporting structure permitting universal movement of the electrodes relative to the supporting structure and to each other.

It is a further object of my invention to generally provide an improved and simplified diathermy electrode supporting mechanism.

An important object of my invention is to provide electrode supporting mechanism which is suitable for increased utilization for fitting various body contours.

Another very important object of my invention is to provide improved diathermy electrode supporting app-aratus rendering both surfaces of the electrodes adaptable for use in diathermy treatment.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved diathermy construction including an electrode having a concave and a convex surface adapted for selective use.

My present invention generally comprises at least a pair of insulated electrodes having outer casings pref- I erably concave on one side and convex on the other side. The concave electrode configuration described in the heretofore mentioned patent provides one type of surface particularly suitable for fitting the contour of many parts of the body; however, the convex shaped electrode surface hereinafter described in detail also is highly desirable for fitting many parts of the human body.

Unlike prior known diathermy units such as described in the heretofore mentioned patent, my present invention contemplates linkage means for supporting the diathermy electrodes for universal adjustment such that a pair of electrodes, each having convex and concave surfaces may be selectively used in combination to provide concave-concave, concave-convex, or convex-convex treatment surfaces. Additionally, my linkage means or elements provide a wide range of use in distance, as for example, within a range from abutting relationship with each other to the maximum extension of the supporting linkage.

An important feature of my invention is to provide the diathermy electrode cords extending from outlets to a central unit, intermediate linkage means or elements, and the electricity being transmitted through the linkage members or elements themselves, through both of the electrodes and back to the central supporting member thereby leaving the electrodes freely supported on the linkage elements free of any entangling cords, as for example, those illustrated in the figures of the above heretofore referred to patent.

Therefore, it is another important object of my invention to provide improved diathermy electrode supporting structure reducing the undesirable electrode cords extending from the electrodes of known apparatus.

It is a further object of my invention to improve the safety of such a device.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be particularly set forth in the claims and will be apparent from the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of one embodiment of my invention with parts broken away and with the electrodes in a substantially closed position;

FIG. 2 is a left-hand side elevational view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of my invention with parts broken away;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of my invention with the electrodes in an opened position and with parts broken away;

FIGS. 47 inclusive are diagrammatic views illustrating the use of my invention with various portions of the human body.

With reference to the figures, my invention includes a pair of insulated electrodes generally indicated by the numeral 10, each electrode 10 has an outer shell or housing 12 of polypropylene or other non-conducting plastic material or any other suitable material including a concave front cover 14 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 4) having a pair of integral transverse opposing end walls or plates 18 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a convex back cover 15 snugly fitting between the opposing end plates 18 of front concave cover 14 and interlocking at opposite ends with cover 14 in the manner illustrated in cross section at the lefthand side as viewed at 16 in FIG. 1. It will be understood that this provides a convenient manner of assemblying and dis-assemblying the housings 12. The electrode units can be conveniently assembled at which time the covers 14 and 15 may be bonded together by a suitable adhesive.

Hole 19 (FIG. 1) is provided in end walls or plates 18 for rotatably mounting each of the electrodes 10 between a pair of opposing top and bottom links or supporting arms, as for example, with reference to FIG. 2, top link 20A and opposing bottom link 21A. Each of the two top corresponding links 20A and 2913 (FIG. 3) and two bottom corresponding links 21A and 213 (FIG. 3) are pivotally mounted at one end to a central panel 22 and the free ends of each pair of opposing links 20A- 21A and ZilB-ZIB rotatably support an electrode 10. The upper electrode illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown in broken line at 12A in a partially rotated position. All of the pivoting and rotating axes are preferably parallel with the axes of concavity and convexity of the electrodes or the longitudinal axis of the central panel 22.

Central panel 22 is provided with a split ring clamp 24 suitable for attachment to an adjustable supporting mechanism such as is illustrated in the Gieringer Patent No. 2,404,283 at FIGS. 1013 and described in that patent commencing column 7, line 25 and ending column 8, line 10. Such structure is suitable for substantially universal adjustment of the heretofore described structure whereby the electrodes are positioned in any desired position relative to the human body. It will be understood that the electrodes of my invention do not need to be attached to such a supporting mechanism but may be used independently thereof.

Preferably the links A, 20B, 21A and 21B and the housing of the central panel 22 including a cover plate 26 are also of a non-conductive plastic material preferably polypropylene or any other suitable material. All parts internal as well as external except the electrical conductors are preferably made of non-conductive material.

Rigidly positioned inside of each electrode 10 is an octagonal shaped printed circuit or coil board 28 having a printed conductive coil 30 suitable for short-wave energy transmission used in diathermy electrodes. Each octagonal shaped board 28 is embraced by electrode housing 12 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 thereby to maintain the board in rigid position therein. The board 28 is spaced in parallel relationship with the concave and convex covers 14 and 15 respectively by insulators 32 (see FIG. 1) thereby conforming the board 28 and coil 30 to the configuration defined by the covers 14 and 15 and yielding even heat distribution over both surfaces of the electrodes 10.

The coils 30 of both electrodes '10 are preferably connected in series with one another whereby both are simultaneously energized from the diathermy unit (not shown).

The diathermy unit (not shown) has a pair of female receptacles suitable for receiving a pair of male electrical plugs 34 (FIG. 2) by which current is supplied through a cable 35 which extends through a hole in a back cover 37 of the central panel 22. Cable 35 is soldered at 36 to a right-angle electrically conductive bracket 38 mounted in the central panel 22.

Electrical bracket 38 (FIG. 3) is provided with a hole in the horizontally disposed portion as viewed in FIG. 3 for pivotally receiving a conductive cylindrical hinge pin 40 having a rivet head 42 rigidly attached to a conductor 44 extending through the right-hand top link 20A. The link 20A is constructed by riveting to conductive hinge pins 40 onto opposite ends of the conductor 44 and thereafter the non-conductive plastic material forming the hinge 20A is molded with the conductor 44 and the hinge pin 40 integral therewith.

Top ling 20A is pivotally mounted to the central panel 22 by a spring biased electrically conductive hinge assembly 46 including the hinge pin 40 extending through a non-conductive friction washer 48 between link 20A and central panel 22 and through a hole in the upper surface of the front cover 26 of the central panel 22. A pair of cup Washers 50 embrace a spring 52 surrounding hinge pin 40 and the hinge pin 40 is threaded at the lower end to receive a pair of hex lock nuts 56 of conductive material with a conductive washer 54 disposed between the top lock nut and electrical bracket 38.

A similar hinging arrangement to that just described is provided at 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D and 46E thereby to provide suitable pivotal connections between the central panel 22 and each of the top and bottom links 20A, 20B, 21A and 21B and universal 360 rotational connections between each pair of opposing links 20A, 21A, 20B, 21B and the two electrodes 10 supported therebetween. Adjustment of the locking nuts 56 vary the ease with which the links are pivotally adjustable relative to the central panel 22 and the electrodes 10 are rotatably adjustable relative to the links.

The above described hinging arrangement provides a safer improved means by which electrical current is conducted through the electrodes 10. According to the foregoing construction, current passes through the hinge pin 40, conductor 44, hinge pin 40A to a conductive bracket 58 rigidly connected, as for example by soldering, to a conductive strap 60 riveted at 62 to coil 30. Current passes through a second conductive strap 64 riveted at one end 66 to the opposite end of the coil 30 and rigidly mounted at the other end, as for example by soldering, to a conductive bracket 68. Current then passes to a third pin 40B through a conductor 44B, a pin 40C, a conductor 69 intermediate the spring biased conductive hinge assemblies 46B and 46D.

In the same manner just described, in the preceding paragraph, current is conducted from the hinge assembly 46D through the left-hand electrode as viewed in FIG. 3 to the spring biased conductive hinge assembly 46E to a conductive bracket 38E mounted in the central panel 22.

A second electrical cable 70 soldered to the conductive bracket 38E passes through a hole in the back cover 37 of the central panel 22 in the same manner as cable 35 and extends to a male connector similar to 34 for connection with the diathermy unit (not shown). The cables 35 and 70 provide flexible connections between the diathermy unit and my illustrated improved electrode assembly.

The convex-concave contour of each of the links as will be understood from the FIG. 1 view substantially conforms with the cross-sectional configuration of the electrodes taken transversely of the axes of concavity and convexity. The purpose of substantially conforming the configuration of the links to that of the transverse cross section of the electrodes is to minimize interference by the links when the electrodes are in certain selected positions not illustrated. For example, when my electrodes are in a position similar to FIG. 12 of Gieringer Patent 2,404,283 in which the electrodes are in a short path position spaced a greater distance apart along substantially a straight line illustrated by a vertical broken line 71 than my FIG. 1 view and embracing a shoulder, knee or other human member, links having straight edges as contrasted to my curved links would engage the human member and interfere with the more desirable positioning of electrodes of which my construction is capable.

It will be understood that the curvature of the links could be greater than that of the front and back surfaces of the electrodes without departing from the spirit of this aspect of my construction. What is of importance is to curve the links in order to minimize interference by the links as the spacing between them is increased in a substantially straight line path (line 71) when substantially facing each other. Therefore, it is intended that the term substantially conforming to the concave surface of each electrode, when used in describing the curvature of the links, shall be broadly construed to include links having substantially greater degrees of curvature as well as substantially the same as the electrodes. 7

In the above described manner, I provide an improved electrode assembly for a diathermy unit which in the most desirous manner provides transmission of shortwave energy impressed across the electrode conductors while at the same time providing a safe, well insulated construction to prevent any hazards to the patient, and also presents an electrode assembly for greatly improved adjustability of and versatility in use of the pair of electrodes 10 while eliminating the awkward cables extending from the electrode housing as illustrated in the Gieringer Patent 2,404,283.

The concave and convex configuration of the electrodes 10 as defined by the concave cover 14 and convex cover 15 is preferably of a configuration such as is shown in the illustrated embodiment suitable for engaging the maximum number of various areas of the body.

It will be noted that the rotating connection between each electrode 10 and its respective pair of opposing links 20A-21A and 20B-21B is at an off-center relationship with the electrodes 10 towards an outboard end of the concave covers 14 generally indicated by the numeral 72 (FIG. 1) of each of the electrodes 10. This arrangement is of particular significance because it provides increased length of the treating path when the convex surfaces of the electrode-s are in the FIG. 6 position engaging areas of the body to be treated. When the convex surfaces of the electrodes are rotated to positions adapted to engage the human body the electrodes are in what shall hereinafter sometimes be referred to as long path positions. A short path position is one in which the concave surfaces of the electrodes are adapted to engage the human body. The electrodes are shown in various short path positions in FIGS. 1-5. In this manner, the length of the links is minimized for the desired maximum length of the electrodes in the long path position, thereby providing a very compact arrangement.

With reference to FIG. 1, the electrodes are shown in a short path position suitable for embracing knees, legs, hands, arms, wrists, shoulders, and similar areas of the body by varying the spacing between the electrodes corresponding to the size of the human member to be embraced; in this manner, a field of very high intensity heat is produced when the electrodes are facing one another. However, unlike the corresponding position illustrated in FIG. 12 of the Gieringer Patent 2,404,283, it will be understood that with my invention the spacing between the electrodes 10 at the inboard ends illustrated by the numeral 75, the electrodes are not limited to the width of the central panel 22 as is true of Gieringers construction; my electrodes 10 are adapted for a wider range of adjustability varying with the size of the human body with which the electrodes are to be used. Moreover, unlike the prior patent, the inboard and outboard ends of my electrodes may selectively be brought into contiguous relationship, as for example as illustrated at FIG. 4 with both inboard ends 75 substantially abutting. In this manner, my electrodes present a continuous treating area to be applied to the chest or back or any other selected area of the body. With my novel combination including the pivotal links, the electrodes may be adjusted over a large range longitudinally of the electrodes, varying from the contiguous relationship illustrated in FIG. 4 to the extreme extended short path position illustrated in FIG. 5 when the concave surface of the electrodes are contiguous to the tissue of the human body. However, it will be understood that when the electrodes 10 are rotated 180 to the long path position illustrated in FIG. 6 in which the convex surface of the electrodes serve as the treating surface to be'applied to the tissue of the human body, that the distance between the opposite inboard ends 75 of the of the concave surface of the electrodes 10 would, at the extreme extended long path position (not shown) corresponding to the FIG. 5 short path position, extend a greater distance than when the electrodes are in the extreme extended short path position illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates suitable use when the electrodes are positioned with the convex surface engaging the tissue of the human body which the prior patent hereinbefore referred to was totally incapable of fulfilling; moreover, as is illustrated in FIG. 7, the application of diathermy treatment to certain portions of the human body may be done more desirably by using a combination of concave-convex surfaces applied at substantially adjacent portions of the human body.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of mechanism of my invention, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made therein particularly in the form and relation of parts, without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An improvement in diathermy treatment apparatus having at least one electrode, said improvement comprising, linkage means pivotally supporting at one end thereof said electrode along an outer surface thereof, a supporting member, said linkage means being pivotally interconnected at the other end thereof to said supporting member, and electrical current supply means extending first to said linkage from a source through said linkage to said electrode.

2. An improvement in diathermy treatment apparatus having at least one electrode, said improvement comprising, linkage means pivotally supporting at one endthereof said electrode substantially at an outboard end of the electrode a supporting member, said linkage means being pivotally interconnected at the other end thereof to said supporting member.

3. An improvement in diathermy treatment apparatus having at least one electrode, said improvement comprising linkage means supporting at one end thereof an elec trode for rotation through substantially 360 relative to an axis of said linkage means extending through said electrode substantially parallel to a treating surface of said electrode, a supporting member, said linkage means being pivotally interconnected at the other end thereof to said supporting member.

4. In a diathermy treatment apparatus,

(a) a support member, pairs of opposing links, each pair being pivotally interconnected at substantially first ends of said links to said support member; and

(-b) a pair of electrodes, each being pivotally supported between one of said pairs of links at substantially second ends of the links and each having treating surfaces on opposite sides thereof.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which said electrodes are electrically supplied current extending from a source of electricity supplied first to said links and then to said electrodes.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which said supporting member is a central panel and said electrodes are supported for 360 rotation at said second end of said a links.

7. In a diathermy treatment apparatus,

(a) a central panel, pairs of opposing links pivotally interconnected at substantially first ends of said links to said central panel;

(b) a pair of electrodes, each being pivotally supported between one of said pairs of links at substantially second ends of the links; and

(c) electrical current supply means extending from a source to said central panel and there after to at least one link of each pair of links and in turn to both of said electrodes.

8. In a diathermy treatment apparatus,

(a) acentral panel;

(b) apair of electrodes;

(c) pairs of links pivotally mounted at one end to said central panel and extending along the sides of said electrodes and rotatably carrying at their other ends said pair of electrodes at a distance from said central panel greater than the distance along said electrode extending between said pivotal and rotatable mountings; and

(d) electrical current supply means extending from a source through at least one link of each pair of links to both of said electrodes.

9. In a diathermy treatment apparatus, a central panel,

a pair of electrodes each electrode having treating surfaces on opposite sides thereof and each electrode being pivoted to said panel and electrical supply means extending from a source through said central panel to both said electrodes.

10. In a diathermy treatment apparatus,

(a) a supporting member, a pair of electrodes, each having a concave treating surface; and

(b) pairs of opposing links, each pair of links pivotally supporting therebetween at a first end thereof one of said electrodes at substantially an outboard end of said electrode and each pair of links being pivotally interconnected at a second end with the other pair of said links at said supporting member, all of said pivotal connections being on pivotal axes parallel with the axis of concavity of each of said electrodes.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 in which each of said links are of concavity substantially conforming to the concave surface of each electrode when pivoted to lie in the same plane.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 in which at least one electrode has a convex treating surface 0pposite its concave surface and is rotatable 360 relative to the pair of links supporting it.

13. In a diathermy treatment apparatus,

(a) a supporting member, a pair of electrodes, each having a concave treating surface; and

(b) pairs of opposing links, each pair of links pivotally supporting therebetween at a first end thereof one of said electrodes at substantially an outboard end of said electrode when said concave faces are disposed toward each other and each pair of links being pivotally interconnected at a second end with the other pair of said links at said supporting member, and electrical supply means extending first to at least one link of each pair of links and thereafter to both of said electrodes, all of said pivotal connections being on pivotal axes parallel with the axis of concavity of said electrode.

14. In a diathermy treatment apparatus,

(a) a supporting member, a pair of electrodes, each having a concave face;

(b) pairs of opposing links, each pair of links pivotally supporting therebetween at a first end thereof one of said electrodes and each pair of links being pivotally interconnected at a second end with the other pair of said links at said supporting member, all of said pivotal connections being on pivotal axes parallel with the axis of concavity of said electrode; and

(c) said electrodes are connected through said links to a source of electricity and are rotatable through 360 relative to said links about said axis at said first end of said links.

15. An improvement in diathermy treatment apparatus,

said improvement comprising, an electrode having op- 8 posite concave and convex outer treating surfaces and linkage means supporting at one end thereof said electrode for rotation through substantially 360 relative to said linkage means.

16. In a diathermy treatment apparatus,

(a) a supporting member, a pair of electrodes each having opposite concave and convex outer treating surfaces;

(b) pairs of opposing links, each pair rotatably supporting at one end thereof one of said electrodes for rotation of 360 therebetween about an axis substantially parallel with the axis of concavity and convexity of said concave and convex surfaces and each pair being pivotally interconnected at another end thereof with each other to said supporting member for pivotal movement of corresponding links in a common plane; and

(c) electrical current supply means extending to at least one link of each pair of links and thereafter to both of said electrodes along the axis of rotatable support.

17. An improvement in diathermy treatment apparatus having at least one electrode, said improvmeent comprising, linkage means pivotally supporting at one end thereof said electrode, a supporting member, said linkage means being pivotally interconnected at the other end thereof to said supporting member, and opposite sides of said electrodes are treating surfaces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,623,552 4/1927 Pollard 128418 X 1,849,745 3/1932 Hoffman 128418 X 2,404,283 7/1946 Gieringer 128405 2,476,645 7/1949 Wanzenberg 128-405 2,882,904 4/1959 Rasmussen 128-418 FOREIGN PATENTS 228,826 8/ 1963 Austria.

WILLIAM E. KAMM, Primary Examiner 

1. AN IMPROVEMENT IN DIATHERMY TREATMENT APPARATUS HAVING AT LEAST ONE ELECTRODE, SAID IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING, LINKAGE MEANS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING AT ONE END THEREOF SAID ELECTRODE ALONG AN OUTER SURFACE THEREOF, A SUPPORTING MEMBER, SAID LINKAGE MEANS BEING PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED AT THE OTHER END THEREOF TO SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER, AND ELECTRICAL CURRENT SUPPLY MEANS EXTENDING FIRST TO SAID LINKAGE FROM A SOURCE THROUGH SAID LINKAGE TO SAID ELECTRODE. 